CRYSTAL PALACE co-owner John Textor aims to sell up – and potentially buy Everton.
Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri confirmed he’s been approached by interested parties – as his club face mounting off-the-field problems.
Moshiri is tied into exclusive talks with troubled US investment group 777 Partners until the end of May – but that takeover could collapse.
Everton have also twice had points deductions this season amid wrangles with the Premier League on profit and sustainability rules.
Textor admits he is keen on adding the Toffees to his Eagle Football network of clubs – Lyon in France, Brazil’s Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium.
However, Everton are just one option as he looks to retain a foothold in English football.
Textor told The Athletic he had held talks about buying the Toffees “with the existing constituents – different groups, different lenders, different equity holders”.
He added: “Everton represents the best of English football: the struggles, the glory, the want. I love that it’s out of London. Everybody should want to buy Everton right now.
“I’ve asked them ‘Is there a way to solve all this confusion and address everyone’s problems?’
“I’m very open-minded to it but I don’t want to come into a situation where I’m not really welcome. I’m watching it but 777 still has a contract.
EVERTON are still trying to build their new state-of-the-art stadium despite financial difficulties.
Toffees’ fans were treated with new photos of the £760million construction of their Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.
The club hopes it will be ready in time for the 2025-26 campaign.
However, the Merseysiders have failed to secure the funds for the next phase of the ground’s development.
Here’s the lowdown on the stunning ground being built by the Toffees:
Expected completion date: End of 2024
Capacity: 53,000
Cost: £760m
Location: Bramley-Moore Docks, Liverpool
Design: Bowl-shaped constructed from steel and glass
Main features: 13,000-seat steep stand inspired by Dortmund’s ‘Yellow wall’, ‘ALL Experience’ that offers choice of social spaces from pubs, bars, high-street style restaurants to fine-dining experiences, scoreboard
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“There are people that are close to the club who care a lot about it who are also investing. There’s the guy running it who’s still calling the shots.
“Maybe we’re uniquely positioned to solve a lot of problems for people but we’re just watching it right now because there are other people who already own pieces of that club who also want to figure it out.
“I’m looking at that but it’s quite confusing and some things have to clean up.”
But to buy Everton, Eagle Football would have to offload Palace as they can’t hold stakes in two Prem clubs.
The tech entrepreneur bought into the South Londoners for £90million in 2021 and owns a 45% stake via his company Eagle Football Holdings.
Textor has now instructed Raine Group to find a prospective buyer.
He believes he can’t achieve his long-term plans at Selhurst Park as he is unable to secure a majority shareholding.
He said in a statement: “So, why would we sell, just when things are getting so good?
“Well, Eagle Football is known to employ a highly integrated sporting model across its football clubs, with an unprecedented amount of scouting collaboration and player movement within the family of clubs.
“As proud as we are to have been a part of the resurgence of Crystal Palace, it… is an independent club, run by a man with a steady hand, who has achieved a level of sustainability incredibly uncommon in today’s Premier League.
“An integrated sporting model, such as ours at Eagle, is simply not a perfect fit for Crystal Palace.”
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